By Randy Hill
FOXSportsArizona.com
As the Phoenix Suns prepare to sneak up on the Western Conference for the second season in a row, several variables have been presented as keys to their next attempted uprising.
The list includes the health and development of center Robin Lopez, the level of contribution from big-ticket addition Hedo Turkoglu and the available tread on Steve Nash's tires. But much of the Suns' potential to continue playing in late April can be placed on what will be provided by shooting guard Jason Richardson.
Let's start with the half-full glass of coach Alvin Gentry, who -- based on last season and Richardson's work over the past month -- seems convinced the high-flying sniper is capable of taking up much of the franchise's newly acquired slack.
"I thought he had his best year as a pro last year," Gentry said, suggesting Richardson -- can dig even deeper.
OK, now before checking history and pointing out how Richardson certainly has had a few more statistically prolific seasons, please note that Gentry was referring to J-Rich's work from baseline to baseline.
"Defensively, he tried to lock in," the coach said of a physically gifted player rarely accused of doing this earlier in his career. "And in terms of leadership, he really tried to assume a lot of that role."
As a newly minted tri-captain, Richardson -- who will turn 30 on Jan. 20 -- certainly has some swell moments from which to draw inspiration. Although the per-game average of 15.7 points doesn't stack up to the three 20-points-plus NBA seasons he posted before arriving in Phoenix, the efficiency (47 percent from the field overall and a respectable 39 from deep) and greater stabs at defense matter.
More encouraging words can be used to define his postseason, an impressive run that included 42-and 28-point outbursts against the Portland Trail Blazers, 27 against the San Antonio Spurs and another 27 on the L.A. Lakers. Over 16 playoff games, Richardson averaged a tick under 20 points and made slightly more than half of his shots.
This suggests that J-Rich was money (more on that later) when it counted; but it also hints that the Suns may need additional work in his direction. Well, based on roster changes in Phoenix and New York, that shouldn't be a problem.
Now moving toward a go-to guy job description (he's a runaway leader in field-goal attempts this preseason), Richardson claims to be ready for the challenge.
"I worked all summer to prepare for this," he said of a presumed greater role in the offense. "We're missing a lot of scoring from last season, but I think I can help in that area a little more."
But is providing additional scoring punch simply a matter of receiving more opportunities, more assisting manna from Nash? Well, not really. Aware of his reputation for being a rim-rattling finisher (remember the two slam-dunk crowns in his closet) who has a tough time getting to the cup off the bounce, Richardson said he spent a large portion of his prep time on ballhandling and refining the clearing moves used to self-create shots.
"I worked a lot on getting to the basket off the dribble," he said, "and improving my mid-range game."
That's admirable. Unfortunately, going from spot-up jump shooter to jump shooter/slasher is difficult for any player this deep in a career. While the fast-twitch explosiveness to get past defenders always has been there, Richardson plays with a high hip level that makes it more of a challenge to achieve a straight-line-to-the-basket victory.
As sage hoop observers will tell you, the low man usually wins -- at both ends of the floor.
Over the Suns' first seven practice games, Richardson has attempted to implement these hopefully upgraded elements into his game. We've seen more attempted drives to the hoop ... but we've also seen him stripped while attempting to split defenders off the still-too-high bounce. In 19 minutes per game (he'll probably work in the low 30s during the regular season), Richardson is averaging 10.7 points on 43 percent shooting that includes a 4-for-13 Game 7 do-over against the Golden State Warriors. His chilly stroke from beyond the arc (32 percent) actually looks red-hot when measured against a collective 25 percent the Suns are shooting from 3-point range.
"I don't worry about that," Richardson said of miserable shooting demonstrated by a team that led the league at 41 percent last season and was the most efficient offensive crew in the league. "We have a lot of great shooters on this team ... a lot of guys who can still score. I think we can continue to produce at that level."
But with bitterly cold exhibition shooting and a fan-based jury still deliberating the merits of acquiring Turkoglu, Richardson -- who leads the Suns in dollars per season ($14.4 million in the bell lap of his deal) -- should be assuming the reasonable expectation of greater productivity.
"He works really hard and he's in great basketball shape," Gentry said. "He's primed a have a really good season."
Well, the coach's glass is still half-full.
It will stay that way if Richardson can help the Suns keep doing the same with the basket.
